Outdoor activities have been garnering a lot of attention, especially during the pandemic. Whether you're camping in Yosemite or cycling in the best U.S. trails, make sure to maximize your next outdoor escapade by adding bouldering into your itinerary.
What is Bouldering?
Unlike usual rock climbing, bouldering doesn't use harnesses or ropes. You rely on your own balance, strength, and a bag of chalk around your waist to reach the top.
Bouldering can be done outdoors on boulders, cliffs, or rock mountains, or indoors at climbing gyms across the U.S. Indoor bouldering gyms offer crash pads, climate control, and staff supervision, making them a safer starting point for beginners. Many climbers start at a gym to practice or overcome a fear of heights before moving outdoors.
Outdoor bouldering is typically done by expert climbers. While you can bring crash pads and have a more experienced climber supervise, you cannot control unpredictable weather, rough or breakable rocks, and challenging routes. Despite these risks, climbing outdoor boulders is rewarding, and thorough preparation is the only way to avoid casualties.
What to Bring when Bouldering
If you are going to an indoor gym, you will just need your climbing shoes since floor mats and chalks are already provided. Moreover, you can also rent gears on-site. But if you’re doing outdoor bouldering, there are other things that you have to bring. Although these may vary due to the weather, height of the rock, difficulty level, and your physical condition.
Here are some of the things you have to bring when bouldering:
Crash Pad
Since there will be no harness or ropes attached to you, a crash pad will lessen the impact when you fall. Make sure to use a crash pad that is thick enough you wouldn’t feel the rocks underneath. A standard crash pad is six-feet wide and four-inch-thick.
Cambered or Hook Toe Shoes
Depending on the kind of boulder you’re climbing, choose between cambered and hook toe shoes. Cambered shoes have a bent sole and pointed tip, recommended for intermediate climbers. The tip helps balance and keep a foothold in steep cracks and overhanging terrain. Hook toe shoes are for advanced climbers, with a more bent sole and pointed, hook-like tip. This allows a stronger foothold in a more arched position.
Chalk bag with loose chalk
Chalks are essential to keep your hands dry when clinging to the rocks. Those who boulder usually just put one big chalk bag on the ground, but sometimes when it’s a long climb, they wear a chalk bag.
Water
Just like any other sport, you will need a lot of energy to boulder. So, make sure that you replenish your energy by drinking enough water your body needs.
Helmet
Although a crash pad sits on the ground, a helmet adds extra protection needed for bouldering—not only in case you fall but also when you reach the top. Debris can fall from erosion, especially on edgy mountains. So, make sure to wear a climbing helmet to lessen any injury.
What to Wear when Bouldering?
What you wear depends on the conditions, but a few guidelines apply. For your top, choose a breathable, dry-fit shirt or a tank top over a sports bra. For bottoms, opt for stretchable sports leggings that reach your calves or ankles. Shorts can ride up during movement and leave your legs exposed to scrapes against the rock, so leggings are the safer, more comfortable choice. For those planning trips around the best seasons, a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy can help you pack appropriately for variable conditions. Similarly, if you're visiting iconic climbing spots, check our top 10 National and State parks to see for additional trip-planning tips.
Best Places for Outdoor Bouldering in the U.S.
1. Smith Rock State Park — Oregon
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Photo by Clint McKoy from Unsplash[/caption]
Best Time to Visit: September to June
The rock formations at Smith Rock State Park formed after the eruption of nearby volcanoes 30 million years ago, with ridges rising up to 600 feet. The park entices climbers as the birthplace of U.S. Sport Climbing. There are 10 Bouldering Areas to choose from, with the most popular being the Bivy Bouldering Area, which includes the Bivy Wall (difficulty grade V0-V3) and the Gorilla Cliff with more challenging routes. If you’re planning to camp, there is a walk-in campground called “The Bivy” on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Rifle Canyon — Colorado
Best Time to Visit: September to December
Rifle Mountain Park is one of the best limestone mountain parks in the U.S., with stupendous mountains at an elevation of 6,500 feet. In winter, its canyons are covered with snow and the once gushing waterfall turns frozen. The towering mountains provide enough shade and sun for almost all seasons. Since the 1980s, it has been a well-known climbing destination, with more than 400 routes on its limestone, ranging from beginner to some of the most advanced in the U.S. Challenge yourself and find your level in bouldering at Rifle Mountain Park.
3. Rumney Rocks — New Hampshire
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Photo by Alexandra Phillips from Adobe Stock[/caption]
Best Time to Visit: May to October
The Rumney Rocks are part of the White Mountains National Forest and boasts a series of cliffs that beginners to expert climbers can ascend. The rocks are metamorphic rock called Schist, with features like aretes, cracks, and corners that test your climbing skills. Most bouldering here involves Face Climbing, which may be easier since you rely less on techniques, but can be difficult because the irregularly-shaped rocks demand focus on body position as you climb.
4. Indian Creek — Utah
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Photo by Allison Colwell from Pixabay[/caption]
Best time to visit: March to June
One of the best climbing locations in the U.S., Indian Creek is the visualization of your outdoor bouldering stereotype. Massive rocks and jaw-dropping canyons await, with enormous sandstones featuring elongated splitters, complicated off-widths, and wide fissures. Climbers have tested routes here since the 1960s, though bouldering gained attention later, partly because varied-sized hand cracks make some routes challenging. Avoid climbing when it has just rained, as sandstones become brittle when wet.
5. Minnewaska State Park Preserve — New York
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Photo by Byelikova Oksana from Adobe Stock[/caption]
Best Time to Visit: September to December
Minnewaska State Park Preserve features gushing waterfalls, placid lakes, verdant forests, and cutting-edge cliffs. It is also home to huge slabs of quartz that attract climbers. The most-visited bouldering location is the Peter’s Kill Climbing Area, with cliffs filled with cracks rising over 70 feet and rainforest-like ground. While this area appeals more to expert climbers, the experience is invigorating for intermediate to expert climbers.
6. Joshua Tree National Park — California
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Photo by Jeremy Bishop from Unsplash[/caption]
Best time to visit: October to November
Joshua Tree National Park is where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, offering a wide array of plants and animals alongside extraordinary geologic features. The famous climbing areas include Roadside Rocks Bouldering, Barker Dam, The Outback, and Planet X. Barker Dam is the most well-known because it is where you will find the Gunsmoke Traverse, a massive L-shaped boulder with few crimps to cling to. It usually receives direct sunlight, so expect clinging into scalding rocks aside from the scorching desert heat.
7. Shenandoah National Park — Virginia
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Photo by Bram from Adobe Stock[/caption]
Best Time to Visit: September to December
Shenandoah National Park offers a mix of limestone and granite slabs set among forested valleys. The park is home to an exceptional ecosystem, including black bears and the unique Shenandoah salamander. Climbers are drawn here for trad lines, with popular areas including Little Stony Man Cliffs (over 100 feet, ideal for top-roping or leading), Old Rag Mountains, and Bearfence Mountain. For those planning a broader trip, the park is a highlight among the top 10 National and State parks to see.
8. Yosemite National Park — California
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Photo by Arnaud Mariat from Unsplash[/caption]
Best time to visit: May or September
It’s no secret that Yosemite National Park is a magnificent bouldering location. Aside from its spectacular Yosemite Falls, it’s also home to numerous promontories, such as the Half Dome and El Capitan, and the sub-alpine meadows Tuolumne Meadows.
Here you can experience different climbing styles — from beginner’s single pitch trad climbing, to more advanced multi-pitch trad climbing and aid climbing using an aider or a softer ladder to build your route.
When you climb in any of the bouldering areas in Yosemite National Park, make sure to read the Yosemite climbing regulations to learn about the rules and safety precautions in the park.
9. Red Rock Canyon — Nevada
[caption id="attachment_118121" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Daniel Halseth from Unsplash[/caption]
Best Time to Visit: December to June
Encompassing more than 195,000 acres, Red Rock Canyon features 200-million-year-old red Aztec Sandstones dotted with iron concretions, plus limestone formed over 500 million years ago. For climbers seeking adventurous boulders for sport or trad climbing on single or multi-pitch routes, popular areas include Jenna’s Jewelry and Pork Chop (V3 grading). Beginners can try Plumber’s Crack and the Spreader; Plumber’s Crack is only 25 feet tall and requires technical strength to push up the chimney.
10. Devils Tower National Monument — Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_118114" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Priscilla Gyamfi from Unsplash[/caption]
Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to December
Not much is known about how the Devils Tower was originally formed — aside from it was made from a rare igneous rock, making it one of the largest columnar jointing in the world. The columns boast a height of 800 feet from the base and spread ten feet in width. Some are hexagon-shaped, while the rest are irregular shapes that still bewilder scientists.
The Tower’s peak reaches more than 5,000 feet and countless splitter cracks about five to 10 feet envelop the columns. Climbers can engage in multi-pitch routes that are traditional and near-vertical. The Devils Tower is very steep and requires a lot of strength and endurance. Even after 100 feet and up, it’s still steep but more stable. With preparation and determination, even beginners can climb the tower.
Avoid climbing in June because the Devils Tower is a sacred monument for most Native Americans, and their sacred ceremonies are held during this month. For planning a trip, consider consulting a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to compare conditions, though the tower itself offers unique challenges.
Best Places for Indoor Bouldering in the U.S.
11. Climb So Ill — Missouri
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Photo from from Climb So Ill website[/caption]
Admission Fee: US$18 per person for a Day Pass at the Power Plant
Open Hours: Monday to Friday (11:00 AM - 10:00 PM), Saturday (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM), and Sunday (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
Climb So Ill in Missouri features creatively designed space with vibrant walls, including Eye-conic Bouldering walls and 60˚ Training Walls. Classes help master bouldering, from introductory climbing to Fitness and Yoga for conditioning. The Warrior’s Way class provides intensive training for mental fitness under pressure and mastering fear.
12. Momentum — Texas
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Photo by Yns Plt from Unsplash[/caption]
Open Hours: Monday to Friday (6:00 AM - 4:00 PM), Saturday (8:00 AM - 8:00 PM), and Sunday (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
There are various Momentum gyms in the U.S. They originated in Utah and branched out to Texas and Washington. The biggest gym is in Houston, Texas, stretching to 43,000 square feet—twice as big as their original Sandy gym. They were also the first in the U.S. to use the modern indoor climbing design of colorful grips. The walls are inspired by Utah’s canyons and crags, so you can find symmetrical boulders and overhangs that challenge you like outdoor mountain rocks, without the Utah heat. For those planning a trip, consider checking a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to time your outdoor adventures elsewhere.
13. Vertical World — Washington
Admission Fee: US$20 per person for a Day Pass
Open Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (9:00 AM to 10:00 PM), Tuesday and Thursday (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM), Saturday (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM), and Sunday (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Vertical World opened in 1987 in Seattle as the pioneer of indoor climbing in the U.S., now with three gyms across Washington. Its original plywood walls studded with glued rocks have evolved into extensive, symmetrical walls with durable irregular grips for all skill levels. Beyond climbing, the gym offers fitness and yoga classes to support bouldering performance. It also hosts group events, including birthday parties, school and church groups, corporate events, private parties, and youth camps.
14. Planet Granite — Oregon
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Photo from the Planet Granite website[/caption]
Planet Granite is a major player in the U.S. rock gym industry, with locations across the country. Its biggest gym, in Portland, Oregon, offers 30,500 square feet of climbing walls featuring adjustable cracks, overhangs, slabs, vertical 3D walls, and off-widths, plus over 200 routes for beginners and experts. A yoga and fitness studio helps maintain bouldering-ready physique.
15. Movement Climbing + Fitness — Colorado
[caption id="attachment_118130" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Jacob Lund from Adobe Stock[/caption]
Movement Climbing + Fitness is a multi-branched indoor climbing gym in Colorado. Its flagship gym is in Boulder, with two larger gyms in Denver. The biggest is RiNo, with walls spanning up to 40,000 square feet and more than 250 bouldering routes. The gym also offers bouldering, fitness, and yoga classes to help climbers transition from gym to crag.
Movement Climbing + Fitness has partnered with Improper City, placing the gym alongside a cafe, food truck park, and beer garden. Climbers can enjoy vibrant scenery—not lush forests, but people relaxing at cafes or the rustic food truck park.
16. Metro Rock — Massachusetts
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Photo by perpis from Adobe Stock[/caption]
Metro Rock is a multi-branched gym across Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York, with 26,000 square feet of walls featuring chimneys, slabs, overhangs, and roofs. They offer climbing classes for newcomers and experts. What sets Metro Rock apart is route setting similar to outdoor climbing, not competition-style. They also use the Kaya app, which shows a map of climbed routes and tracks your progress.
17. High Point Climbing & Fitness — Tennessee
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Photo from the High Point Climbing and Fitness website[/caption]
Admission Fee: US$24.50 per person for a Day Pass with gears included
Open Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM), Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM), and Sunday (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
High Point sets itself apart with 30,000 square feet of symmetrical indoor walls, auto-belay walls, a top-roping room, lead-climbing pit, and angled boulder areas. It also features an outdoor climbing wall made of transparent panels with illuminated backlights at night. This setup emulates outdoor crags with unpredictable weather and grips. The in-house climbing school is facilitated by pro climbers Lisa Rands and Wills Young, so you learn from experts.
18. Brooklyn Boulders — Illinois
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Photo from the Brooklyn Boulders Website[/caption]
Admission Fee: US$25 per person for a Day Pass at Lincoln Park
Open Hours: Monday and Wednesday (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM), Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (12:00 PM - 9:00 PM), and Saturday and Sunday (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Established in 2009, Brooklyn Boulders began in New York City as the first climbing gym in the city. It’s known for urban, hippy gym designs with graffiti-covered walls; the Somerville location even includes a co-working space. Hone your bouldering skills on overhangs, a symmetrical traverse wall, and standing boulders. Build endurance with fitness, yoga, and pilates classes, or recover using Normatec and HyperIce machines. Locations include two in New York, two in Illinois, and one in Massachusetts.
19. Stone Summit — Georgia
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Photo from the Stone Summit website[/caption]
Open Hours: Monday and Wednesday (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM), Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (11:00 AM to 10:00 PM), Saturday (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM), and Sunday (11:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Three indoor climbing gyms of Stone Summit operate in Georgia: one in Kennesaw and two in Atlanta. For bouldering-only, head to Stone Summit Midtown in lower-level Atlanta, featuring an enormous colorful wall with over a hundred bouldering problems. The gym also offers fitness classes including pilates, abs, and yoga, plus climbing, belaying, and bouldering lessons. Their bouldering-only facility and 45-minute bouldering class can shift your perspective on the sport.
20. Earth Treks — Virginia
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Photo from the Earth Treks Website[/caption]
Founded in 1997 by a former Outward Bound instructor, AMGA guide, and high-altitude mountaineer, Chris Warner, Earth Treks can be found in various locations in Maryland and Virginia. From its humble beginnings as an outdoor school in Maryland, Earth Treks became one of the best indoor climbing gyms for many reasons.
First, it has an immense size that allows climbers to have the freedom to explore different routes. In fact, their biggest is the one in Crystal City, which spans up to 45,000 square feet. Second, they have extraordinary landscapes of slabs, overhangs, and top-outs. They also have facilities that will further mold athletic skills by joining yoga and fitness classes. Lastly, they have a commendable education system that does not only allow beginners to learn climbing without being intimidated but also they designed their classes to equip climbers to take on the challenge of outdoor climbing.
Final Thoughts
Bouldering is one of the extreme sports in the world, but indoor climbing gyms have made it more accessible. Whether you’re here for fun or to make it your own sport, we hope this helped jumpstart your research. Keep in mind that, like any sport, bouldering is challenging, but preparation and perseverance will take you a long way. For planning your trips, note that the best times to visit vary: Smith Rock State Park from September to June, Rifle Canyon from September to December, Rumney Rocks from May to October, Indian Creek from March to June, Minnewaska State Park Preserve from September to December, Joshua Tree National Park from October to November, Shenandoah National Park from September to December, Yosemite National Park in May or September, Red Rock Canyon from December to June, and Devils Tower National Monument from March to May or September to December. If you’re also exploring other outdoor destinations, check out our top 10 National and State parks to see.
